Jar separation device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crucible-like cooking containers with multiple heating zones lack vertical division, limiting their flexibility and efficiency in preparing different types of food simultaneously while preventing taste transfer and wasting energy by heating unnecessary areas.

Innovation Solution

A crucible separating device with a plate-like body and seal extending along three edges is inserted into the cooking container, allowing vertical subdivision and precise control of heating zones, using individually controllable heating elements and a sensor to detect the device's position for automated zone control, ensuring liquid-tight separation and improved handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cooking container is divided into multiple heating zones on the base, then different temperatures can be applied for various cooking tasks, but the container still lacks vertical separation causing taste transfer between different foods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking flexibilityVSAvoidtaste transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking container is segmented into multiple independent cooking compartments using vertical partition walls that extend from the base to the rim. Each compartment can be independently controlled with its own heating elements, preventing taste transfer while maintaining cooking flexibility for different food types and temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a vertical dimension to the zone division by extending partition walls from the base upward, creating three-dimensional separation between cooking areas. This vertical segmentation complements the existing horizontal heating zones, enabling complete isolation of different foods throughout the entire cooking volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Power

If the entire base is heated for cooking, then sufficient heat is available for large quantities of food, but energy is wasted heating areas that are not being used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating capacityVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Each cooking compartment is equipped with its own dedicated heating elements in the base, allowing localized heating only in the areas where food is actually being prepared. This enables the system to provide sufficient heating power for each zone independently while avoiding energy waste in unused areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heating system dynamically adjusts which heating zones are active based on the presence and configuration of partition walls. The control system can enable or disable specific heating elements in different base zones, providing adaptive heating capacity that matches the actual cooking requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If partition walls are added to divide the cooking container vertically, then separation of cooking zones is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking zone separationVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partitioning system is segmented into multiple removable wall modules that can be independently positioned and configured. Each module is a discrete component that can be easily installed or removed, reducing the overall structural complexity while achieving complete vertical separation when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition walls are designed to be movable and reconfigurable rather than fixed, allowing the cooking container to dynamically change its internal configuration. Users can adjust the number, position, and arrangement of partition walls based on cooking requirements, simplifying the structure when fewer compartments are needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If a seal is added to the partition wall to prevent liquid leakage, then liquid-tight separation is achieved, but the ease of operation decreases due to installation complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Flexible sealing elements are integrated into the partition wall structure, allowing the walls to conform to the container's interior surface while maintaining liquid-tight seals. These flexible seals can be easily attached and removed without complex installation procedures, preserving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing surfaces and sealing elements are pre-configured during manufacturing to ensure proper alignment and sealing effectiveness. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex adjustment or alignment procedures during installation, making the partition walls easy to install while maintaining reliable seals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the appliance's versatility by allowing simultaneous preparation of diverse dishes, prevents taste transfer, and achieves energy savings by heating only required areas, while ensuring reliable sealing and easy operation.

Implementation Method 1

a seal extending along at least three edges of the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

a sensor that responds to the magnet or magnetizable element in the crucible separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPosition detection:

Implementation Method 3

a heating device consisting of individually controllable heating elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2649914B1Jar separation device
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 RATIONAL INT AG
  • EP2649914B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2649914B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5

AI summary

The method involves inserting a pan-type separating device (22) i.e. soup cooking container, into a pan-type cooking container (12), where the pan-type separating device is separated into different zones. A seal (28) i.e. lip seal, is pre-tensioned when utilizing the pan-type separating device, and provided at the pan-type separating device. The pan-type separating device is latched at the cooking container. A cooking device (10) is scanned by a controller (18) to determine whether the pan-type separating device is arranged in the cooking container. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a pan-type separating device (2) a cooking device.